Why would you want screen shots of the application itself on the home page of the application? I can see screen shots being useful if you are selling the application, but not in this case.
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ChrisFMay 17 '12 at 20:41

4 Answers
4

general idea is: users click on/go for things that they immediately see they will benefit from

contrary, users don't go for something that isn't clear (why would I do that?)

by putting screenshots you are uncovering very essence of what's inside, and here is when you have to be 100% sure it doesn't suck, if a user sees that's cool, they will appreciate this and go further, and vice versa: if the main page demonstrates lame screenshots, well...

general problem with screenshots is that they are taken without thinking much of the purpose, you have to show off most attractive things and hide unrelated ones, so make sure screen shot doesn't have: surrounding window frame, too much empty real estate (make the window smaller), static elements that don't make difference.

make sure your screenshots are filled with goodies, distilled and compact, straight to the point, have outstanding features that only your app provides, don't look boring

Screenshots are a poor way to display a desktop-resolution interface, because when small they are difficult to evaluate, and when large they confuse the user into clicking on them. It's a web app though... there's no need to have a screenshot. Just have a 'Demo' link and they can instantly evaluate a partially working version of it. I have also seen well done demonstration videos highlighting the portions of the application that are awesome (and can be hard to find on your own).

Generally people want to understand what your product is about without having to make a commitment. What people need to understand and what they consider a commitment varies. Sometimes a screenshot is enough understand, other times people need a vide, sometimes a live demo is best. For some users setting up a free account is too much, for others even a video is too much of a commitment.

So generally I see no problem with including screenshots, but this doesn't mean they always help or are the most important thing to include.